35Q MCAT 4. GPA, Chances this late in cycle

[abdelraziq13]

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As the title says, I have a 4.0 GPA and 35Q (VR:11 PS:12 BS:12) MCAT and I am a Texas resident. I was wondering if I could get some advice on my chances of getting accepted if I were to begin applying right now for MD entrance in fall 2013. I would very much like to begin medical school immediately after graduation as opposed to waiting a year to apply for fall 2014. I do not really care about the school's ranking, other than I would like it to be a decent US MD program. However, I have very little ECs: like 130 hours hospital volunteering, a few academic recognitions, work as a math tutor, and I am just beginning to do research. I think my situation might be a little unique, however, but I do not know if that gives me any advantage/excuse about the ECs. I attended a dual credit high school program, so I will be graduating in spring 2013 even though this is only my 2nd year in university. As a result, I have not had much time to get many ECs. Do you guys think I have any chance this cycle? Of course, if I must, I will apply next cycle but I would like to know if I have any chance at an acceptance in this cycle. Thanks.

Also, if you do think I should apply next cycle, can you please give me some advice maybe on what I can do to strengthen my application? Thank you.

 

[Moosepig]

If I were you, I would research this year and shadow some and beef up your ECs and apply next year. Your stats are excellent, but if it were me I would not risk missing out my first year from applying so late and then apply again with the stigma of being a reapplicant. This might be a cautious approach, but you get one shot at a clean, unblemished application season and for me I want that to be perfect/near-perfect.

 

[1cor1311]

If you apply now you will surely still get in, that is if your willing to go to a mid-low tier school. if you can somehow think hard about your EC's and get the basic minimum on your app. if you apply next june will get you to a top ranked school assuming everything else on top of your GPA / MCAT is solid by then

Best of luck

 

[Catalystik]

As the title says, I have a 4.0 GPA and 35Q (VR:11 PS:12 BS:12) MCAT and I am a Texas resident. I was wondering if I could get some advice on my chances of getting accepted if I were to begin applying right now for MD entrance in fall 2013. I would very much like to begin medical school immediately after graduation as opposed to waiting a year to apply for fall 2014. I do not really care about the school's ranking, other than I would like it to be a decent US MD program. However, I have very little ECs: like 130 hours hospital volunteering, a few academic recognitions, work as a math tutor, and I am just beginning to do research. I think my situation might be a little unique, however, but I do not know if that gives me any advantage/excuse about the ECs. I attended a dual credit high school program, so I will be graduating in spring 2013 even though this is only my 2nd year in university. As a result, I have not had much time to get many ECs. Do you guys think I have any chance this cycle? Of course, if I must, I will apply next cycle but I would like to know if I have any chance at an acceptance in this cycle. Thanks.

Also, if you do think I should apply next cycle, can you please give me some advice maybe on what I can do to strengthen my application? Thank you.

Your high stats won't make you a shoo-in when your ECs are so sparse. Wait until June 2013 to apply, meanwhile building up your research experience and taking on more responsibility with your PI, even possibly getting in a poster presentation. Add some peer leadership, nonmedical community service, and physician shadowing. Don't forget hobbies and artistic endeavors. Also beef up your clinical experience. The tutoring looks fine.

 

[abdelraziq13]

Thank you all for your advice. I will most likely wait until next cycle to apply. Just curious though, how bad does is it to apply as a reapplicant?

 

[cheechootrain]

My friend had a 4.0 and 38 mcat with very few EC's. He had zero nonclinical experience but had lots of research. he applied at the end of September. He was able to get interviews from November to March. It was tough and difficult, but he was able to get accepted at 3 schools. It's going to be hard when you are first crossing the railroad, but if you keep at it, you'll get in.

FYI, schools started to respond after he sent update letters about him doing volunteering at hospitals and other activities. So you'll never know. :/ Good luck.

 

[Catalystik]

Thank you all for your advice. I will most likely wait until next cycle to apply. Just curious though, how bad does is it to apply as a reapplicant?

Some schools actively discourage it, but many won't discriminate against you provided you make substantial improvements to the original application.

Another downside is the considerable expense and stress involved for both cycles.